RTPI Bulletin Board

As part of an ongoing commitment to improving our services and guidance, we are seeking the views of members employed in national, regional or local government.

Greater emphasis on corporate strategic decision-making in local authorities is likely to increase occasions on which policies and development control decisions on large or contentious applications may be opposed to the council's strategic position. The experiences of those who have successfully managed such competing interests would be of real value to future planning managers.

The RTPI conduct and discipline panel and the Planners in the Workplace initiative welcome members' views and experiences to help improve the guidance available.

For more information, please log on to the website at www.rtpi.org.uk or contact Chris Sheridan in confidence on (tel) 020 7929 9483 or (email) chris.sheridan@rtpi.org.uk

Biodiversity and climate change workshop

Climate change is increasingly affecting wildlife and its habitats. Campaign group Branch has announced three workshops focusing on how spatial planners can help wildlife adapt to climate change:

Attendance is free. Places are on a first come, first served basis. To book, please email erica@futerra.co.uk

Conduct and discipline decision

The conduct and discipline panel has recently suspended a member for a serious breach of the code of professional conduct and agreed to name him in the published report.

John Liddiard acted on behalf of a client to obtain planning permission for a residential development. The panel found that he failed to issue a written fee agreement for the initial commission or to agree fees for subsequent work carried out. The panel agreed that this is contrary to the code of conduct. Liddiard then submitted an invoice based on the price achieved for the land at auction, admitting that he participated in bidding to increase its value. The panel decided that this was a clear conflict of interest and therefore in contravention of paragraph 4 of the code. Liddiard also acknowledged that he failed to maintain full records of work done or time spent on behalf of a client and was therefore unable to provide this information when asked to.

As a result, the panel agreed that:

- He should be suspended for a period of six months.

- Reinstatement of his membership will then depend on sufficiently demonstrating the requirements of the code of professional conduct.

- He will need to confirm that he has developed and implemented appropriate office practices.

- Continuing professional development activities will also be monitored.